Summer is such a nice word to say, one that instantly draws a smile. Thinking of that glorious warm sunshine on our faces and all the fun things to do outdoors has us (and many others) already excited for its arrival.
Sadly, summer can be a stressful time for those concerned about mosquitoes and ticks because they bite and can transmit diseases to humans. While ticks and mosquitoes are not a serious health concern here in Ontario, compared to other places around the world, their populations have been on the rise, as has public concern.
Worry over these pests can be enough for some to purposely avoid spending time outside. There is no fun staying cooped up indoors, so we’ve compiled some mosquito prevention and tick prevention tips to help you take back your summer.
Tips to help you minimize mosquitoes:
- Remove sources of standing water in your yard or property:
- Throw out garbage that can collect and hold water, such as old tires, damaged flower pots, damaged buckets or cans.
- Fill hollow tree stumps with sand.
- Flip over kiddie pools and any toys that can collect and hold water when not in use.
- Repair any leaking outdoor water taps, pipes or hoses.
- Fill potholes in your driveway.
- Keep your rain gutters unclogged.
- Regularly replace water in stagnant outdoor water features (like bird baths).
- Cover your garbage bins and recycling containers with lids.
- Cover rain barrels with screens.
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Regularly trim trees, bushes and shrubs.
- Remove dead wood and yard waste regularly.
- Minimizing nightime outdoor lighting to attract less mosquitoes.
- Cover your swimmer pool and regularly remove any water accumulation from the cover.
- Keep your swimming pool clean and use chlorine.
- Use oxygenating plants in ponds to prevent algae accumulation, which mosquito larvae eat.
- Plant citronella, marigolds or rosemary, which have been known to be natural mosquito repellants.
- Seek professional help from a licensed mosquito control expert who can help you identify, eliminate and treat mosquito breeding sites.
Tips to help you prevent ticks:
- Cut your grass short, and often.
- Cut away long grasses at the edges of your property.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed.
- Regularly dispose of yard waste.
- Keep wood piles tidy and away from your home or areas of high activity.
- Keep bird feeders away from the house.
- Place children’s play equipment on foundations made of mulch or woodchips, and away from wooded areas or the edges of your property.
- Put up fencing to keep your pets inside your yard and animals (especially deer) out.
- Minimize the time your pets spend in wooded areas, speak with your vet about tick prevention options and check them yourself each and every time they have been outdoors.
- Carefully inspect yourself (and your family) after being outdoors. Make sure to check behind your ears and knees, your hair, armpits, naval, groin and around your waist.
- Consider hiring licensed tick control experts to help you mimize and prevent ticks.
We hope you have a wonderful summer…outside!